The Razer Kishi V2 controller adds some of the Backbone controller’s best features

Image: Razer

The Kishi V2 is a controller that can cradle your phone to deliver a more handheld experience. The new iteration of the Kishi V2 features some of the same features as the previous one. The buttons have a clicky feel due to the use of microswitches. There are two macro buttons that can be programmed with a mobile app.

There is a lot about the Kishi V2 that resembles the Backbone One controller for the iPad. The extendable rear bridge design of the Kishi V2 is similar to the one used in the original version, but with a less intuitive folding mechanism. The phone can be easily inserted or removed from the controller. It makes sure that more phones are compatible. To give you a sense of compatibility, the new controller can fit a number of phones. It should work if it's less than that. If your phone has a case, it's a good idea to remove the rubber inserts. I had to change the plastic pieces of my phone to make it fit.

Image: Razer

The Backbone One has a headphone jack, but the V2 doesn't. Is there a way to play games with wireless headphones? It's usually atrocious when it comes to the Latency is typically atrocious It would be nice to have the jack on a controller.

The Backbone is similar to controller design. In order to be able to jump into launching mobile games and streaming services, Kishi and Kishi V2 owners need to have a gaming hub built into their device. The solution is free to use and doesn't require a subscription. The interface that Backbone has built is very elegant. The right analog stick of the Kishi V2 has a dedicated Nexus button under it.

Razer and Backbone

We'll have to wait and see what happens with the Kishi V2 The phone version will be coming soon, but it's not clear when. WhileAndroid is fertile ground for deep OS implementation and for making it easy for people to stream games, it's not the same on the other side of the world. Apple doesn't allow for native app streaming, requiring the likes of Microsoft to build a web-based solution Backbone's One is so impressive due to that. The integration went deeper than expected.

The launch of the Kishi V2 onAndroid is just the beginning of the uphill climb that Backbone has already made.